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Quick answer: If you loved Orbital, read The Martian, Project Hail Mary, Endurance, and An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. All look at life in space with curiosity, wonder and a close attention to the human side.
Samantha Harvey's Booker Prize-winning novel follows six astronauts and cosmonauts on the International Space Station over a single day, circling Earth sixteen times. It is lyrical, quiet and full of awe. The books below share its fascination with space, solitude and perspective, mixing fiction and non-fiction.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packing for Mars | Mary Roach | Adult | funny space science |
| Endurance: A Year in Space | Scott Kelly | Adult | astronaut memoir |
| An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth | Chris Hadfield | Adult | life lessons from space |
| Carrying the Fire | Michael Collins | Adult | Apollo memoir |
| The Right Stuff | Tom Wolfe | Adult | early space age |
| The Martian | Andy Weir | Adult | survival on Mars |
| Project Hail Mary | Andy Weir | Adult | space adventure |
| Solaris | Stanislaw Lem | Adult | philosophical science fiction |
| The Book of Strange New Things | Michel Faber | Adult | literary science fiction |
| Klara and the Sun | Kazuo Ishiguro | Adult | gentle observation |
| Spaceman of Bohemia | Jaroslav Kalfar | Adult | lonely traveller |
| Piranesi | Susanna Clarke | Adult | dreamlike wonder |
| Seveneves | Neal Stephenson | Adult | big space survival |
| Contact | Carl Sagan | Adult | wonder and science |
| Pale Blue Dot | Carl Sagan | Adult | cosmic perspective |
1. Packing for Mars by Mary Roach
Roach explores the odd realities of life in space, from food to bathrooms. Funny, curious and informative.
Best for: funny space science.
2. Endurance: A Year in Space by Scott Kelly
Kelly spent nearly a year on the ISS and writes about the physical and mental toll. Honest and gripping.
Best for: astronaut memoir.
3. An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield
Hadfield shares what space taught him about preparation and perspective. Warm and practical.
Best for: life lessons from space.
4. Carrying the Fire by Michael Collins
The Apollo 11 astronaut who stayed in orbit writes with candour and wit. Widely praised as one of the best astronaut memoirs.
Best for: Apollo memoir.
5. The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe
Wolfe tells the story of the first American astronauts with energy and style. A classic of narrative non-fiction.
Best for: early space age.
6. The Martian by Andy Weir
An astronaut is stranded on Mars and uses science to stay alive. Funny, tense and highly readable.
Best for: survival on Mars.
7. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
A man wakes alone on a spaceship with no memory and must save Earth. Fast, clever and surprisingly moving.
Best for: space adventure.
8. Solaris by Stanislaw Lem
Scientists study a mysterious ocean planet that responds to their thoughts. Thoughtful and strange.
Best for: philosophical science fiction.
9. The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber
A missionary is sent to an alien planet while his wife struggles on Earth. Quiet and moving.
Best for: literary science fiction.
10. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
An artificial friend watches a family and the world. Tender and subtle, with a similar sense of looking from outside.
Best for: gentle observation.
11. Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar
A Czech astronaut travels towards a mysterious cloud and confronts his past. Funny, strange and melancholic.
Best for: lonely traveller.
12. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
A man lives in an endless house of statues and tides. Short, lyrical and intriguing.
Best for: dreamlike wonder.
13. Seveneves by Neal Stephenson
The moon breaks apart and humanity races to survive in orbit. Ambitious and detailed, for readers who love hard science.
Best for: big space survival.
14. Contact by Carl Sagan
A scientist detects a message from space and faces its consequences. Thoughtful and humane.
Best for: wonder and science.
15. Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan
Sagan reflects on humanity's place in the universe. Beautiful, humble writing that mirrors Orbital's sense of awe.
Best for: cosmic perspective.
How to Choose
For astronaut memoirs pick Endurance, An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth or Carrying the Fire. For funny science read Packing for Mars. For tense, entertaining fiction choose The Martian or Project Hail Mary. For quiet, literary science fiction try Solaris, Klara and the Sun or The Book of Strange New Things. Orbital is short and slow, so books that favour atmosphere over plot are the closest match. If you only want one extra, choose the one that matches why you loved Orbital. Readers who admired the language should pick Piranesi or Klara and the Sun. Those who loved the space setting will enjoy Endurance. Those who liked the big thoughts can read Pale Blue Dot slowly, one chapter at a time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Orbital about?
Six astronauts circle Earth on the ISS over a single day.
Who wrote it?
Samantha Harvey.
Did it win a prize?
Yes, the 2024 Booker Prize.
Is it a short book?
Yes, around 140 pages.
Is it science fiction?
No, it is literary fiction set in the present day.
Does it have a plot?
Very little. It is mostly observation and reflection.
Is it a good book for space fans?
Yes, especially for readers who like beautiful writing.
What should I read next?
Try Endurance for the real experience or Project Hail Mary for a fast story.
Are there other Booker winners about science?
Not many, but Klara and the Sun was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2021.
Is there an audiobook?
Yes. Check current listings for the available edition.